Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Mission of the Free Methodist Church: Love God | Love People | Make Disciples
Contents
3
3
4
5
6
8-9
10-11
Why Free
Why Methodist
Vision
Core Values
Non-negotiables Leadership Initiatives
Expected Outcomes
Free Methodist Entities and Partners
Why Free?
Historically, the Free Methodist Church was organized at Pekin,
New York, August 23,1860. The leader and first bishop of the
new church was Benjamin Titus (B.T.) Roberts. He was a champion
for equal rights (especially for women), writer, publisher, Christian
educator, and holiness preacher. The influence of his character and
ministry continue today.
In 1860, the “free” in Free Methodist emphasized certain basic free-
doms found in the Scriptures:
• Human freedom, upholding the right of every person to be free,
denying the right of anyone to hold slaves;
• Freedom and simplicity in worship;
• Free seats in church, so the poor will not be kept out or discrimi-
nated against;
• Freedom and openness in relationships and loyalties so the truth
may always be spoken freely (avoiding vows of secrecy);
• Freedom of lay persons to be fully involved at all levels of decision
making;
• Freedom from materialism in order to help the poor.
The biblical principles on which these freedoms are based are as
important today as ever.
Why Methodist?
Motivated by love for God and people, we embrace the practices
and disciplines of life that allow God’s grace to make us like Jesus.
We embrace spiritual disciplines that “train” us to love God and oth-
ers. We walk together with others who encourage us and hold us
accountable. We are intentional in “practicing” the ways of Jesus in
serving, healing, and helping all who are in need. And we join with oth-
ers to influence the world around us with God’s grace and power.
Love God | Love People | Make Disciples
- 3 -
Vision
The Free Methodist Church has a unique history with a unique
vision of how best to love God and make disciples. Namely, we
focus on full salvation or holiness — living in the fullness of the Holy
Spirit and loving practically, tangibly and profoundly.
In view of our mission, we embrace this full salvation and activating
love, resulting in our vision, which is:
Simply put: to bring wholeness to the world through healthy biblical
communities of holy people who multiply disciples, leaders, groups
and churches.
We lead people into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ who
makes them whole, and forms them into a Kingdom of God move-
ment committed to wholeness of individuals and society.
For this reason we labor to:
• Address poverty
• Eliminate slavery
• Raise the dignity of all people
• Promote equality of women in all places
• Facilitate freedom in Christ for all persons.
Love God | Love People | Make Disciples
- 4 -
Our Core Values
Grace expressed through love
• God’s grace and kindness reaches toward every person, and so
do we.
• God’s grace makes us gracious and loving toward others, as
Jesus was.
• God’s grace saves us through faith that works through love.
Holiness expressed through transformation
• God calls us to be holy, as God is.
• God’s holy people live set-apart for God’s plans and purposes.
• God’s people live like Jesus when the Spirit of Jesus renews them
in the image of God’s own likeness.
Effectiveness through equipped and engaged disciples
• Jesus calls disciples to follow him.
• Jesus’ disciples live in purposeful relationship with Jesus as their
Lord.
• Jesus’ disciples enter into what Jesus is doing, and bear much
fruit.
Love God | Love People | Make Disciples
- 5 -
1. This chart represents the denomination’s commitment to placing mission ahead of
method
2. Leaders are responsible for achieving the expected outcomes.
3. These are the parameters and outcomes expected in every Free Methodist Church.
We may NOTl live in violation of the
Scripturesl live in violation of the
Articles of Religion, the Constitution, the Membership Cov-enant, or the Mission of the Free Methodist Church
Our pastors may NOTl live in violation of
ordination vowsl lead the church in
ways which detract from our mission
Leadership Initiatives
Placing mission ahead of method, our pastors and churches are free to strategize and minister in ways which fulfill our Expected Outcomes.
Non-negotiables Nine Strategic Priorities
Expected Outcomes
Embrace All
Disciple Deeply
Cultivate Health
Develop Leaders
Multiply Ministries
Go Global
Honor Fruitfulness
Engage Urban
Partner Strong
See elaboration on pages 8-9.
Every Free Methodist Congregation:
l Prayer-Saturated
l Worshipping
l Discipling
l Evangelizing
l Reproducing
l Culture-Engaging
l World-Mission- Engaging
l Purpose-Driven
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Love God | Love People | Make Disciples
- 6 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Love God | Love People | Make Disciples
- 7 -
Embrace All: We will improve our reach to the poor and disenfranchised and create a normalcy for multicultural ministry by rewarding and celebrating churches that minister to the hurting, broken and people unlike themselves.
Disciple Deeply: We will place the same priority on discipling and serving as we do on our services of worship. By valuing and measuring holiness, service and obedience, we will increase the fruitfulness of the good news in our communities.
Cultivate Health: We will work to improve the health of every local church by creating measurable expectations and regular assessments. We will create and utilize training materials that focus on church health.
Develop Leaders: We will raise up godly and competent leaders who support our vision and passionately make disciples. We will identify these leaders within our churches and provide opportunities for recruitment, internship and service.
Multiply Ministries: We will increase multiplication of disciples, leaders, groups, churches and ministries by highlighting exemplary leaders and by changing the way our churches view and report growth.
Go Global: We will increase the global and local influence of our churches by encouraging engagement with worldwide ministries and helping churches to better impact their communities.
Honor Fruitfulness: We will increase the number of growing and fruitful Free Methodist churches by encouraging and aiding successful leaders and their ministries. We will tell the story of these ministries to the rest of the denomination.
Engage Urban: We will increase Free Methodist church planting and ministry in U.S. urban centers, developing lasting ministries and local leaders that multiply themselves throughout our cities.
Partner Strong: We will encourage partnerships with like-minded ministries. These mutually beneficial relationships give us a unified voice on social and spiritual issues, as well as more focused skills to fulfill our mission and vision.
Nine Strategic Priorities
3
4
2
Our Expected Outcomes
Healthy Biblical Communities of Holy People will be:
Prayer-Saturated Congregations
• speaking to God on behalf of a lost world
• praying first, acting second
• interceding for individuals, rulers and nations to yield to the
ultimate victory of Christ
• listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying Him
Worshipping Congregations
• celebrating the saving grace of God in singing
• encountering God in prayers
• reading and obeying the Word
• preaching the Word
• observing the sacraments
Discipling Congregations
• connecting all who wish to know Christ to groups or cells
• nurturing believers toward Christ-like, obedient love
• enfolding believers, welcoming them into membership
• bringing disciples into a life pattern of holy living through the
transforming work of the Holy Sprit
• taking and sending disciples into the world to serve
Evangelizing Congregations
• befriending spiritually lost people
• presenting and explaining the gospel in culturally relevant ways
• inviting spiritually lost people to trust Christ as Savior
1
Love God | Love People | Make Disciples
- 8 -
5
6
7
8
Reproducing Congregations
• developing the next generation of pastoral and lay leaders
• establishing cells as core group for new church plants
• planting new congregations
Culture-Engaging Congregations
• seeking justice for all
• showing mercy to the poor
• empowering the disenfranchised
World-Mission Congregations
• engaging in Free Methodist (FM) World Missions
• giving vital resources
• sending cross-cultural evangelists
• providing diverse support teams
Purpose-Driven Congregations
• organizing for essentials only
• focusing on mission and vision to shape all ministry
• surrendering to Christ’s mandated Great Commandment and
Great Commission (see page 11)
Love God | Love People | Make Disciples
- 9 -
Free Methodist Entities and Partners
Free Methodist Global Ministries
From the earliest days Free Methodists have responded to a God
who loves the whole world by becoming His messengers of love to the
whole world. Free Methodists go as missionaries and partner with
the international church in missions. The spectacular fruitfulness of
this effort has resulted in a burgeoning Free Methodist global church
reaching more than 80 world areas. We celebrate the maturity of
the international church which has resulted in 16 General Confer-
ences, all sharing a common constitution, the articles of religion, and
a passion to work together for the good of God’s Kingdom. Every Free
Methodist Church is expected to be on mission with God; to be a part
of the “Missio Dei.” We seek both locally and globally to penetrate the
darkness with the gospel of Jesus in ways that produce much good
fruit.
FM World Missions serves Free Methodists as we make disciples of
Jesus Christ among the peoples of the world.
The worldwide Free Methodist family includes more than 1 million
members. Only 7 percent of Free Methodists are in the United States.
International Child Care Ministries (ICCM)
ICCM advocates for the spiritual, educational, physical and social
development of children by partnering with the global Free Methodist
Church through sponsorships, scholarships and creative initiatives.
In this way, we serve more than 20,000 children in 31 countries
and provide for such needs as education, meals, clothing and basic
medical care. Children receive an opportunity for a better life, and the
church is built up as well.
Love God | Love People | Make Disciples
- 10 -
Auxiliary and Affiliated Organizations
A number of auxiliary and affiliated organizations also serve to
advance the mission and vision of the Free Methodist Church – USA.
A current listing may be found at fmcusa.org/ministries.
Finally, a growing number of collaborative and partner ministries
help facilitate the global reach of the Free Methodist Church – USA.
They include educational institutions, social service agencies, justice
ministries, leadership networks and holistic service organizations
through which Free Methodists embrace the world. For more
information, visit fmcusa.org/partners.
Love God | Love People | Make Disciples
- 11 -
Christ’s Mandated Great Commandment and Great Commission“God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone
you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold
name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have
commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the
end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Board of Bishops USA
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of him who
called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV).
© 2014. This brochure is produced at the direction of the Board of Bishops by Free Methodist Communications, a ministry team dedicated to connecting Free Methodist churches and people with each other, with our God-given identity and unique mission, and with the needs of the world.
For more information and Free Methodist Church – USA ministry resources and to discover opportunities to interact with our church and people visit our website: fmcusa.org
770 N. High School Road | Indianapolis, IN 46214
(800)342-5531 | [email protected]
Bishop David Kendall Bishop Matt Thomas Bishop David Roller
11/2014
